Senate panel approves minor changes to Utah liquor laws

A Senate committee Thursday recommended approval for a lengthy bill containing numerous but largely technical changes to Utah's liquor laws, such as permitting Yellow Page listings for state liquor outlets and tightening controls intended to prevent underage drinking.

Under SB205, sponsored by Sen. Pete Knudson, R-Brigham City, all minors who commit alcohol-related crimes — including underage drinking — could lose their drivers' licenses. Current law does not cover drivers 18-21 years old.

The bill also clarifies what sexually oriented businesses with liquor licenses can and can't do, spelling out in the liquor laws, for example, that lap dances and total nudity are banned.

And it also changes the way liquor is taxed but in a way that won't affect the bottom line. No longer will there be a school lunch tax included in the price of liquor sold by the state. Instead, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control will provide 10 percent of its revenues to the school lunch program.

But the bill, approved by the Senate Business and Labor Committee, does not deal with another change to the liquor laws that the senator had said he'd raise this session, to allow wine to be served at art gallery openings and other cultural events.

Knudson said he couldn't find enough support this session for that change and decided against introducing a bill. However, he said he intends to try again in the 2008 legislative session.

SB205 now goes to the full Senate for action.